Pellegrini has concerns over squad

The City manager will be without eight of his major players for Sunday's Community Shield against Arsenal and does not expect all of the seven who have just resumed training to be in contention to face Newcastle at St James' Park on the opening weekend.

Pellegrini is particularly concerned by striker Sergio Aguero, who has had his last two seasons interrupted by calf, hamstring and groin problems and who was never fully fit during the World Cup.

Aguero and City's other two Argentina internationals, Martin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta, figured in their country's World Cup final defeat to Germany while Vincent Kompany, Bacary Sagna and Fernandinho, all members of squads who reached the latter stages of the tournament in Brazil, are others who only started training again this week.

"I think Sergio needs a very good preseason. That's why for him it is very important to work two or three weeks intensely and then start playing. We hope this year he will not have [injuries]."

Pellegrini, who has long said he wants two players for every position, now believes he has two first-choice goalkeepers after Willy Caballero arrived to challenge Joe Hart.

The City manager added: "He is a very good goalkeeper, I know him from Malaga. I think he is very happy here. I am sure Willy will be very important for us but I also continue thinking we have the best goalkeeper in England in Joe Hart."